How do we know that fearing God is necessary for spiritual life?

Fearing God is not a natural trait of humanity; it is a characteristic of the new nature given to believers. As Romans 7 teaches, our sinful nature cannot obey God's law perfectly, highlighting our need for grace. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to fear God truly. This fear signifies that we recognize our need for His mercy and acknowledges that God's law is good, even as we struggle with sin. Those who genuinely fear God exhibit a relationship marked by trust and desire to honor Him, indicating a spiritual life at work within them.